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Air Astana, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Thai Airways are among airlines that have recently updated their policy on carrying and usage of power banks onboard their aircraft due to growing safety concerns.
In January, a malfunctioning power bank was blamed for a fire that devastated an Air Busan aircraft at South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport. The airline moved swiftly in February to prohibit passengers from keeping power banks in luggage stored in overhead cabins. Instead, power banks are to be kept close on hand so that immediate action could be taken should there be smoke or fire incidents.
Airlines tighten power bank rules after safety concerns
Rules have been tightened since, with South Korea authorities requiring passengers on all South Korean airlines to do the same starting March 1.
Air Astana Group will require all passengers to have their spare batteries, including power banks and electronic smoking devices, only in carry-on baggage, with effect from March 13.
In accordance with existing rules, the maximum allowable battery capacity is 100Wh. Batteries with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh require prior airline approval for transport, with a maximum of two per passenger. The transport of batteries exceeding 160Wh is prohibited. The capacity will be verified and the transportation of batteries without capacity markings or proper certification is prohibited.
Furthermore, the use of batteries to charge other devices, as well as charging the batteries themselves on board is strictly prohibited.
Over at Singapore Airlines and Scoot, the use of power banks to charge personal devices in flight will be banned from April 1. Passengers may carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh on its aircraft without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Parent Singapore Airlines Group said in a statement that the new rules comply with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries.
Scoot had its own share of power bank-related accidents. In 2023, an overheated power bank caught fire on flight TR993 as it was taxiing to take-off from Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport. The owner of the power bank and his companion sustained minor burns, and the flight was rescheduled.
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